South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB156: modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor.
Status: Failed, February 26, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
An Act to modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 40-1: [ADDED: An individual who commits the offense provided for in § 40-1-2.4 in an especially depraved, heinous, sadistic, or wicked manner is guilty of a Class 4 felony.] Underscores indicate new language. [DELETED: Overstrikes] indicate deleted language.
Sponsors
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030) · primary sponsor
- Taffy Howard (R, 34) · primary sponsor
- Bobbi Andera (R, HD-010)
- Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
- Lana Greenfield (R, HD-022)
- Phil Jensen (R, 33)
- Liz Larson (D, SD-010)
- Scott Moore (R, HD-023)
- Carl Perry (R, 03)
Latest actions
- : Do Pass
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to Agriculture and Natural Resources
- : Do Pass
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to Judiciary
Votes
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 26, 2026): 10 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 10, 2026): 4 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 5, 2026): 10 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 4, 2026): 25 yea, 8 nay, passed
Subjects: Penalty, Animals and Livestock
Common questions
- What is SB156?
- SB156 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor.
- What does SB156 do?
- In its own words: An Act to modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor.
- What is the status of SB156?
- Failed as of February 26, 2026. Latest action: Do Pass (February 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB156?
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB156?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26559
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.